Lillian Tillier, from Fenton, Michigan, is a right-handed pitcher and first baseman for the Indiana Magic Gold – Bennett/Goddard travel team and verbally committed to the University of Toledo two weeks ago—the weekend of January 24-25.

Although her home and her future D1 program are in two different states, the drive from Fenton to Toledo takes less than an hour and a half straight south across the Michigan/Ohio border.

In this first-person article composed by Lillian, she shares some of the key aspects of herrecruiting process and what she did to ultimately find the best fit for her.

This is a must-read for upcoming prospects who want to know what to do and look for as they start to get noticed by college coaches!

We at Line Drive first really noticed Lillian two years ago when she shined for the Mojo – Lewis 16U team that would win the PGF 16U Premier championship as well as place 1st at the PGF Florida Show Me the Money tournament that year.

Lillian was also selected as a Top 15 prospect in the 2027 HOT 100 that year. Her then Head Coach Brittany Lewis said of the talented young pitcher:

“Lillian is a student of the game and works to be an expert at her craft. She’s an elite pitcher because of her impressive ability to consistently shut down top teams in the nation with an elite screwball, rise, and change combo.”

Coach Lewis added:

“Her strike percentage is in the low 80’s and she understands spin and location better than almost any pitcher I’ve coached.”

In 2025, it was another title-winning year as she competed for the 2025 Senior Little League World Series Champion and was selected to the 18U All-Tournament Team after a tremendous showing with the Indiana Magic at the Clearwater Classic which was held November 14-16 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.

Her current club head coaches, Roger Bennett and Jeff Goddard, are understandably proud of their college-bound standout junior.

Here’s what Goddard had to say:

“Lillian joined our squad just this fall after spending the last couple seasons with the talented Mojo Lewis team.  Having been part of that squad and winning a couple of championships, we knew she had the pedigree and understood what it meant to compete at the highest level.”

“Her biggest challenge was that she just did not get enough time in the circle in the past couple years, so overall, she was a bit unknown.  We didn’t see overwhelming size or pitch velocity, and she did not have an overwhelming strikeout ratio.  But we certainly saw how “All-In” she was and how determined she was to get to the next level.”

“We also saw a very supportive family behind her.  She and her family did as much homework on us as we did on them!”

What we came to learn about Lillian this fall is that she does have overwhelming drive, grit, determination and competitiveness. After a rough weekend early in the fall season at Easton Rawlings, Lillian told us simply, “I’ll do better.” 

“She owns her stuff and is really accountable.  And she has followed through on her promise, growing progressively better and more confident as the fall went on.  She pitched a complete game in our championship game at the HFL Fall Championships to clinch our bid for this year’s AFCS.”

“In those seven innings, she had seven strikeouts and only gave up one walk. Her fall season progress culminated in a three-hit shutout performance against Georgia Impact Taylor, a team full of SEC commits, during her last outing at the highly competitive Clearwater Classic.”

“Overall, for the fall, Lillian threw 41 innings, posting a 2.83 ERA and 1.40 WHIP.”

“We also learned that Lillian is a great teammate; she fit right in with our squad (many of whom have been with us for seven-plus years now) and in only a few short months, it feels like she’s been a part of this team for years.”

“Lillian’s all smiles and joking outside the lines, but all business when she puts on her glove and sunglasses.”

“Toledo is getting an absolute gem, and we couldn’t be more honored to be part of Lillian’s journey.  The best part about it all is that she is nowhere near her ceiling yet, so the best is yet to come.”

“Oh, and she can rake the ball at the plate too—what a bonus!  We look forward to her continuing to contribute and lead as we roll into this summer season and beyond.”

Here is Lillian’s recap of her softball journey and her life in softball from age 8 to now with several championships in-between! 

*****

I still remember lacing up my very first pair of cleats and holding a softball for the very first time and I also remember throwing the ball and snapping it into my very first glove.

The moment I stepped into the circle, everything changed for me.

I felt a sense of control and confidence, along with a rush of emotions I couldn’t quite explain. In that moment, I knew this was more than just a game, this was exactly where I was supposed to be, the place where I truly belonged.

Throughout my softball journey, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to travel across the country with my family and friends often joking that it felt like a game within itself, not knowing which state we would be in next!

Along the way, I’ve had the honor of participating in the most highly regarded tournaments and competing at the highest levels of the sport.

I have been fortunate to have been nationally ranked in the Top 25, Top 9, and Top 5 for the 2027 class, including being named to the PGF All-American 2027 pitcher watchlist. I’ve also been blessed to represent both Regional, National and Premier teams alongside some of the best athletes in the country.

As a pitcher on Mojo – Lewis, our 16U team made history by winning the PGF National Championship in 2024 as a first year 16U team, along with winning numerous PGF Show Me the Money championships. 

Beyond these accomplishments, one of my greatest blessings has been playing with some of the top athletes in Michigan on the Little League Senior District 4 team. Together, we became State Champions, Regional Champions, and ultimately 2025 Senior Little League World Series Champions.

In the circle, I pitched 10 innings, gave up four hits and one earned run, three walks, and recorded 23 strikeouts. 

After our Mojo coach went back down to a younger level and our team disbanded, I joined up with Indiana Magic Gold Bennett/Goddard 18U.

I didn’t know it at first, but very quickly I found out how much I needed Coach Jeff (Goddard) and Coach Roger (Bennett), especially through the recruiting process. They were encouraging, supportive and made sure I had all the tools I needed for a successful recruiting profile.

We went from earning our bid in the 2025 Alliance Fastpitch Qualifier to ending the year with my sixth win of the fall season against the very talented Georgia Impact Premier – Taylor. I gave up three hits and zero runs over four innings, striking out three and walking none.

During my high school career at Fenton (Mich.) High School, I was honored as a two-time Flint Metro League 1^st Team Pitcher, named MHSAA All-District, and recognized as a Flint Metro League All-Academic athlete. I also contributed to our team’s Flint Metro League Championship.

Academically and in leadership positions, I am a member of the National Honor Society, Editor-in-Chief of the Yearbook, a High School Honor Roll student, and an active participant in the FHS Athletics Leadership Council, FHS LINKS Mentorship Program, and the FHS Key Club.

The transition from summer to fall of my junior year marked the moment everything began to feel real—this was the moment I had been working toward since I was eight years old.

Along the way, I often questioned whether the sacrifices were worth it including the missed family and friends’ gatherings, social events, school events, and the countless hours of unwavering hard work.

I faced challenges that tested my confidence. 

I endured negative comments, being taken off the field after a single mistake, and being assigned every clipboard job that ultimately was slowly trying to take away my confidence.

Yet, through it all, I was supported by a strong circle of coaches, teammates, family and friends who believed in me and kept me grounded and reminded me to stay focused on the positives.

The recruiting process has been an unforgettable journey filled with excitement, meeting new coaches and athletes and traveling to camps and campuses all across the country.

Every event brought new memories filled with growth, laughter and new sisterhood.

Ultimately, it created new opportunities and new challenges.  It was nothing short of an adventure and extremely rewarding at the same time.

When September 1st came around, my emotions were all over. I was grateful to hear from some amazing programs and some amazing coaches; however, it also came with moments of uncertainty and the fear of not knowing where I would eventually call home.

Through it all, I trusted the process and stayed committed to my goals.

I kept working to find the opportunity that felt right. When “it only takes one,” those words couldn’t be more true. Despite limited playing opportunities leading up to September 1, I stayed focused on what I could control, training hard and keeping my videos up to date so I could continue to showcase my athletic ability and my craft.

I maintained constant email communication and continued building relationships through camps and correspondence. I was reminded it is not at all about the uniform you are wearing, it is all of the extra work that you continually put in.

I looked back at that eight-year-old little girl who first fell in love with the game and realized she never lost sight of her ultimate goal: to become a Division I pitcher. 

I first visited the University of Toledo in September for my unofficial visit, and from

The energy, the atmosphere, and the facilities instantly stood out, but what truly made the experience special was how genuinely welcoming everyone was.

It didn’t feel like just another visit, it felt like the beginning of something real. 

What impacted me most was the coaching staff. Their passion, honesty, and belief in me went far beyond softball. They took the time to truly get to know me, not just as a player, but as a person and student-athlete and that meant everything.

Hearing them speak about valuing my work ethic, my competitiveness, my ability to command the circle in big moments, and especially my ability to execute change of speed was incredibly motivating.

They also emphasized my willingness to learn, lead, and continue to grow, which made me feel confident that they see my potential and are invested in my future.

The University of Toledo checks every box I was looking for—strong academics, a competitive Division I softball program, and a culture built on trust, hard work, and accountability.

After my visit and numerous conversations with the coaches, I knew without a doubt that it’s where I was meant to be.

I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and I am so excited to continue my academic and softball journey as a University of Toledo Rocket! 🚀💙

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball